U.S. patent number 5,788,848 [Application Number 08/750,706] was granted by the patent office on 1998-08-04 for apparatus and methods for separating solids from flowing liquids or gases.
Invention is credited to Paul Blanche, Stephen Crompton.
United States Patent |
5,788,848 |
Blanche , et al. |
August 4, 1998 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Apparatus and methods for separating solids from flowing liquids or
gases
Abstract
An apparatus and method for separating material which includes
solid and/or particulate matter from flowing liquid and/or gas. The
apparatus includes a separation panel positioned in a fluid flow
path, and the separation panel is housed in a separation chamber.
Fluid can be introduced into the separation chamber by an inlet to
establish a circular flow of the fluid within a confine of the
separation panel, so material entrained in the fluid is trapped
within the confine of the separation panel. The separation panel,
separation chamber and inlet can be dimensioned and disposed such
that as the apparatus operates, the flow of the fluid outside the
separation panel is in a direction opposite to a direction of the
flow of the fluid within the separation panel. The separation panel
can include plural deflection means for deflecting material
entrained in the fluid away from the openings, and the deflection
means are generally opposed to a direction of the flow of the
fluid, each opening having one of the deflection means associated
therewith.
Inventors: |
Blanche; Paul (Victoria 3941,
AU), Crompton; Stephen (Victoria 3941,
AU) |
Family
ID: |
3780854 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/750,706 |
Filed: |
March 24, 1997 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 16, 1995 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/AU95/00351 |
371
Date: |
March 24, 1997 |
102(e)
Date: |
March 24, 1997 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO95/35145 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 28, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/162; 210/308;
210/306; 210/304; 210/309; 210/512.1; 210/804; 95/268; 55/459.2;
55/459.1; 55/337 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F
5/14 (20130101); B01D 21/0075 (20130101); B01D
21/003 (20130101); B01D 29/908 (20130101); B01D
21/26 (20130101); B01D 29/118 (20130101); B01D
45/12 (20130101); B01D 21/2433 (20130101); B01D
21/0039 (20130101); B01D 2201/184 (20130101); B01D
2201/287 (20130101); B01D 2221/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
29/11 (20060101); B01D 45/12 (20060101); E03F
5/14 (20060101); B01D 029/35 (); B01D 035/22 ();
B01D 036/04 (); E02B 005/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/162,299,304,306,307,308,309,512.1,804 ;55/337,459.1,459.2
;95/268 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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Other References
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Wong, T. "An Innovative Gross Pollutant Trap for Stormwater
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Stormwater Management, Australia (Jul. 1995), pp. 407-412. .
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|
Primary Examiner: Lithgow; Thomas M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper &
Scinto
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for separating a material comprising at least one
of a solid matter and a particulate matter from a fluid comprising
at least one of a flowing liquid and a flowing gas, the apparatus
comprising:
a separation panel having a concave inner side defining a confine
and said panel having a convex outer side, said separation panel
being positioned in a path of a flow of the fluid, the separation
panel including a plurality of openings, wherein the openings are
of a predetermined size such that only the material which is
smaller than that size passes through the openings, and wherein
further, the openings on the separation panel have a configuration
and an arrangement such that the material that is larger than the
predetermined size is substantially prevented from at least one of
adhering to and obstructing the separation panel; and
a separation chamber which houses the separation panel, inlet means
for introducing the fluid containing said material into the
separation chamber ans into the confine of the coarse inner side of
the separation panel so as to establish a circular flow of the
fluid within said confine of the separation panel, whereby the
material of at least the predetermined size entrained in the fluid
is trapped within the confine of the separation panel while the
fluid passes through the separation panel,
wherein the separation panel, the separation chamber and the inlet
means are dimensioned and disposed such that as the apparatus
operates, the separation panel is self-cleaning, and wherein the
separation panel, the separation chamber and the inlet means are
dimensioned and disposed such that as the apparatus operates, the
flow of the fluid on the convex outer side of the separation panel
which is outside the confine of the separation panel is in a
direction opposite to a direction of the flow of the fluid on the
concave inner side of the separation panel which is within the
confine of the separation panel, so as to contribute to the
self-cleaning of the separation panel and wherein said apparatus
further comprises collecting means positioned below the separation
panel for collecting the material that is trapped within the
confine of the separation panel.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separation panel
is in the form of a generally cylindrical structure.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separation panel
is an open ended generally cylindrical structure.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement of
the openings in the separation panel is such that the openings are
disposed at an angle relative to the flow of the fluid.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collecting means
comprises a biasing means for biasing which utilises a
gravitational force to encourage settlement of settleable said
material.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the biasing means
comprises at least one downwardly directed baffle or flange which
encourages deposition of settleable said material.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collecting means
further comprises a receptacle for collecting the material.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus
additionally includes removing means for removing the material from
the receptacle.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the removing means
for removing the material from the receptacle comprises a removable
container provided with the receptacle into which the material is
received during use of the apparatus.
10. A method for separating a material comprising at least one of a
solid matter and a particulate matter from a fluid comprising at
least one of a flowing liquid and a flowing gas, the method
including the step of:
positioning a separation apparatus in a path of a flow of the
fluid, the separation apparatus comprising a separation panel
having a concave inner side defining a confine and said panel
having a convex outer side, said separation panel having a
plurality of openings therethrough, wherein the openings are of a
predetermined size such that only the material which is smaller
than that size passes through the openings, and wherein further,
the openings on the separation panel have a configuration and an
arrangement such that the material that is larger than the
predetermined size is substantially prevented from at least one of
adhering to and obstructing the separation panel, and a separation
chamber which houses the separation panel;
introducing the fluid into the separation chamber and into the
confine of the concave inner side of the separation panel by an
inlet means so as to establish a circular flow of the fluid within
said confine of the separation panel, whereby the material of at
least the predetermined size entrained in the fluid is trapped
within the confine of the separation panel while the fluid passes
through said separation panel,
wherein the separation panel, the separation chamber and the inlet
means are dimensioned and disposed such that as the apparatus
operates, the separation panel is self-cleaning, and wherein the
separation panel, the separation chamber and the inlet means are
dimensioned and disposed such that as the separation apparatus
operates, the flow of the fluid on the convex side of the
separation panel which is outside the confine of the separation
panel is in a direction opposite to a direction of flow of the
fluid on the concave side of the separation panel which is within
the confine of the separation panel, so as to contribute to a
self-cleaning function of the separation panel and collecting the
material that is trapped within the confine by means of a
collecting means positioned below the separation panel.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the separation panel
is in the form of a generally cylindrical structure.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the separation panel
is an open ended generally cylindrical structure.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the arrangement of the
openings in the separation panel is such that the openings are
disposed at an angle relative to the flow of the fluid.
14. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the collecting is
performed by biasing the material using a gravitational force to
encourage settlement of settleable said material.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the biasing is caused
by providing at least one downwardly directed baffle or flange
which encourages deposition of settleable said material.
16. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the collection means
further comprises a receptacle for collecting the material.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step of
removing the material from the receptacle.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the removing of the
material from the receptacle is performed using a removable
container provided with the receptacle into which the material is
received during use of the apparatus.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for separating
solids or particulate matter from flowing liquids or gases. The
invention has particular, although not exclusive, application to
the filtration of floating and entrained solids from discharges of
water. One particular application of the invention is in relation
to storm water drain technology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many applications where it is desirable to separate
solids from a flowing liquid. Such applications include the
following.
1. Separation of solids from storm water
In many parts of the world, storm water is directed to waterways
and seas. Storm water is a major carrier of solid pollutants, such
as plastics, cans, tree branches and animal faeces, amongst other
things, to waterways and seas.
Endeavours have been made to date, to limit the passage of at least
some of these materials to waterways and seas. One method which has
been used is to employ grates across outlets from the drains. This
method has been generally unsatisfactory because the size of the
grate must often be such as to enable water to pass, even if solid
material is held against the grate by water pressure. Accordingly,
it has been necessary that the grate be of substantial opening
size. A further problem is that even large grates can become
blocked, and it is essential to provide a flow path around or over
the grate to prevent build up of water upstream in the drainage
system. A second alternative proposed has been the use of systems,
such as cyclones and dynamic separators, to remove the waste. While
these can be efficient in some circumstances, they are often too
expensive to be used in the whole of a storm water drainage
system.
2. Separation of liquid from sewerage
A major difficulty with many sewerage plants is the sheer volume of
liquid to be handled. This is aggravated where a "mixed" system,
that is, a system which carries both sewerage and storm water, is
used. In many cases, sewerage plants could handle more sewerage if
the quantity of liquid delivered could be reduced. This could occur
if, for example, liquid was removed from the sewerage before it
enters into trunk sewers. To date, this has not been considered
feasible.
Further, there are also many regions in the world where storm water
and sewerage are received by the same system. This can cause
difficulties where there are heavy rains which overload the system,
as it is undesirable to permit raw sewerage to pass to
overflow.
3. Removal of pollutants from industrial wastes
Many industrial plants must pay prohibitive rates to discharge
polluted liquids into sewers. It would be most desirable to
separate a part of the pollution before the waste is delivered to
sewers, and this will provide economies both to the plant and to
the authority, if the cost of the earlier removal of polluted
matter was less than the cost of cleaning up pollution at a later
time.
These are merely illustrations of the many uses to which an
apparatus or method for separating solids from a flowing liquid,
could be put. There are many other such applications which could be
described.
In our International Patent Application number PCT/AU94/00061, we
disclosed and claimed apparatus and methods for separating solids
from flowing liquids. We believe that the apparatus and methods
disclosed in that application provide very good results in
applications requiring the separation of solids from flowing
liquids. We have now developed improvements and/or refinements to
the invention disclosed in that application, which we believe
provide even better results than those disclosed in our earlier
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally provides an apparatus for
separating solid or particulate matter from a flowing liquid or
gas, the apparatus including:
a separation panel positioned in the path of flow of the liquid or
gas, the separation panel including a plurality of openings,
wherein the openings are of a predetermined size such that only
solid or particulate matter smaller than that size is able to pass
through the openings, and wherein further, the configuration and
arrangement of the openings on the separation panel is such that in
use of the apparatus, solid or particulate matter larger than the
predetermined size is substantially prevented from adhering to or
obstructing the separation panel.
Preferably, the arrangement of the openings in the separation panel
is such that, in use of the apparatus, the openings are disposed at
an angle relative to the direction of flow of the liquid or
gas.
Preferably further, the configuration of the openings is such that
each opening includes a deflection means generally opposed to the
direction of flow of the liquid or gas, to assist in deflecting
solid or particulate matter entrained in the flow, away from the
openings. In a preferred form of the invention, the separation
panel takes the form of a curved structure.
It is particularly preferred that the apparatus includes a
generally cylindrical separation panel. It is particularly
preferred that the separation panel is in the form of an open ended
generally cylindrical structure. In this preferred form of the
invention, it is also preferred that the separation panel forms
part of a larger separation chamber, into which, in use of the
apparatus, the liquid or gas flow is introduced by an inlet means,
so as to establish a circular flow of the liquid or gas within the
separation panel. This circular flow enables solids or particulate
matter of a predetermined size entrained in the liquid or gas, to
be trapped and to circulate within the confines of the separation
panel. The circular motion of the flowing liquid or gas within the
separation panel also results in the entrained solids or
particulate matter generally not adhering to the separation panel,
but being entrained in the circular motion of the liquid or gas. In
this way, the establishment of a circular flow motion of the gas or
liquid within the separation panel is such as to enable the
separation panel to act as a generally self-cleaning filter for the
solid or particulate matter entrained within the flowing liquid or
gas. The fact that the liquid or gas is able to pass freely through
the openings in the separation panel means that the panel is able
to filter solid or particulate matter of a predetermined size from
the flowing liquid or gas, thereby enabling the liquid or gas to be
discharged to an outlet means, at least substantially filtered of
the solid or particulate matter.
It is also preferred that the configuration of the apparatus is
such that in use, the flow of the liquid or gas outside the
confines of the separation panel is in a direction opposite to the
direction of flow of the liquid or gas within the confines of the
separation panel. Such a configuration assists in maintaining the
self-cleaning function of the separation panel, in use of the
apparatus.
Preferably, the apparatus also includes means for facilitating the
collection of the solid or particulate matter into a receptacle,
from which it may be removed. In some embodiments of the invention,
gravitational forces may combine with the circular motion of the
gas or liquid within the cylindrical separation panel, so as
generally to encourage the deposition of the solid or particulate
matter into a receptacle which may be positioned generally below
and/or above the separation panel, depending upon the specific
gravity of the solid or particulate matter. In the case of solids
or particulate matter having a lower specific gravity than the
liquid or gas, they will tend to float on the surface of the liquid
or gas, in which case, they can be collected by a receptacle
generally disposed above the separation panel. In the case of
solids or particulate matter having a higher specific gravity than
the liquid or gas, they will tend to settle under the action of
gravitational forces, in which case, a receptacle to capture them
will generally be positioned below the separation panel.
The apparatus may also include mechanical means to assist the
deposition of the solid or particulate matter in the receptacle,
through the action of gravity. Such means could take any number of
forms, but would include, for example, providing the receptacle
with a baffle or flange directed downwardly to encourage the
deposition of settleable solid or particulate matter.
The invention also provides a method for separating solid or
particulate matter from a flowing liquid or gas, the method
including the steps of:
positioning a separation apparatus in the path of flow of the
liquid or gas; and
providing the separation apparatus with a separation panel having a
plurality of openings therethrough, wherein the openings are of a
predetermined size such that only solid or particulate matter
smaller than that size is able to pass through the openings, and
wherein further, the configuration and arrangement of the openings
on the separation panel is such that in use of the apparatus, solid
or particulate matter larger than the predetermined size is
substantially prevented from adhering to, or obstructing the
separation panel.
Preferably further, in the method, the arrangement of the openings
is such that, in use of the apparatus, the openings are disposed at
an angle relative to the direction of flow of the liquid or
gas.
It is also preferred, in the method, that each of the openings
includes a deflection means generally opposed to the direction of
flow of the liquid or gas, to assist in deflecting solid or
particulate matter entrained in the flow, away from the
opening.
Preferably, in the method described above, the separation panel
takes the form of a curved structure.
Preferably further, in the method described above, the separation
panel takes the form of a generally cylindrical structure, and the
separation apparatus includes inlet and outlet means for directing
the flow of liquid or gas into, and out of, the separation
apparatus respectively. It is particularly preferred that the
separation panel is an open ended generally cylindrical
structure.
It is particularly preferred, in the said method, that the
arrangement is such that the liquid or gas is introduced into the
separation apparatus via the inlet means and presented to a
separation chamber which includes a generally cylindrical
separation panel, so that a circular motion of the liquid or gas is
established within the confines of the separation panel, so as
generally to trap solid or particulate matter of a pre-determined
size within the separation panel, yet at the same time, permit the
liquid or gas to pass therethrough freely, and so that the
separation panel is continually cleaned by the circular motion of
the liquid or gas within it.
Preferably further, in the method, the configuration of the
apparatus is such that in use, the flow of the liquid or gas
outside the confines of the separation panel is in a direction
opposite to the direction of flow of the liquid or gas within the
confines of the separation panel, so as to assist in maintaining
the self-cleaning function of the separation panel, in use of the
apparatus.
Preferably further, the method also includes the step of providing
means to facilitate the collection of the solid or particulate
matter separated by the method, from the flowing liquid or gas.
Such means could, for example, utilise the assistance of
gravitational forces, to assist in the collection of the solid or
particulate matter.
Preferably further, the method also includes means for facilitating
the removal from the separation apparatus, of solids or particulate
matter separated from the flowing liquid or gas.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In order that the invention may be further understood, we will now
describe preferred embodiments of it, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one example of a separator made in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 represents a view (in the direction of the arrow marked "B"
in FIG. 1) of a vertical section of the separator shown in FIG. 1,
taken along the line 2--2 in that Figure;
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged horizontal section of part of a separator
panel for use in the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a view from the side of a vertical section through an
exemplary separator made in accordance with the invention.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a plan
view of an apparatus which could be used to separate solids from a
flowing liquid, such as water (and particularly, storm water). The
apparatus shown, generally denoted 25, includes a separation panel
1, which as depicted, is of a generally circular shape, when viewed
in horizontal cross-section. When viewed in three dimensions (as
shown more particularly in FIG. 2), it can be seen that the
separation panel 1 has an open-ended generally cylindrical
configuration.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the separation panel 1 is located within
a separation chamber 2. The liquid enters the separation apparatus
25 via an inlet means 3, in the direction of the arrow 27 shown in
FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet channel 3 curves to the left
until reaching the body 37 of the separator 25, where water and
entrained solids or particulate matter are presented through an
opening 8 into the interior 19 of the separation panel 1. The
generally cylindrical configuration of the separation panel 1 is
such that when the water leaves the opening 8 and enters the
interior (or confines) 19 of the separation panel 1, a circular
flow motion is established within the confines 19 of the separation
panel 1, in the direction shown by the arrow 29 shown in FIG.
1.
Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the exemplary
separation panel 1 depicted consists of a number of deflection
means in the form of solid deflective segments 10 which generally
present a closed face to the direction of flow of the liquid (as
shown by the arrow numbered 31 in FIG. 3) within the separation
panel 1. Behind each deflective segment 10 in the separation panel,
there is an opening 9. As illustrated, each opening 9 is disposed
at an angle to the direction of flow of the liquid in the
separation panel 1. Moreover, the openings 9 are all of a
predetermined size, which is such as to permit the passage only of
particulate matter smaller in size than that of the openings. The
liquid is of course, also able to pass freely through the openings.
In use of the separation apparatus 25, the effect of this
arrangement of features is that only the liquid, and solids or
particulate matter of a size smaller than that of the openings 9
are able to pass through the separation panel. Solids or
particulate matter of a larger size are therefore trapped within
the confines 19 of the separation panel. Moreover, the circular
motion of the liquid within the confines 19 of the separation panel
means that trapped solids or particles are continuously deflected
from the interior wall 33 of the separation panel. The net effect
of this arrangement is therefore that the separation panel 1 is
substantially self-cleaning.
Solids trapped within the confines 19 of the separation panel are
therefore caused to continue moving by the circular flow until they
settle under gravity, or, if floatable, are retained on the
surface. At the same time, untrapped solids and the liquid are able
to pass through the separation panel into the upper portion 5 of
the separation chamber 2, and thence to the outlet means 6 (which,
as shown in FIG. 1, may take the form of a channel, pipe or other
suitable outlet structure).
As shown in FIG. 3, preferably, the flow of the liquid or gas
outside the confines of the separation panel is in a direction
opposite to the direction of its flow within confines. This
counter-current flow motion on opposite sides of the separation
panel establishes a kinetic equilibrium which in turn facilitates
the generally self-cleaning function of the circular flow motion
established within the confines 19 of the separation panel.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the separation apparatus 25 may also
include a receptacle 4, such as a collection sump, for the
containment (and removal, if desired) of settleable solids. The
sump 4 may be sized or configured so as to slow down the circular
flow of the liquid at the lower portion of the apparatus 25, so as
to facilitate settlement of solids. The sump 4 may also be provided
with any suitable means to facilitate the removal of settled solid
or particulate matter. Such means could include, for example,
periodic removal by education, or a mechanical bucket or basket
that is suspended in the sump. Floatables which are left floating
on the top of the body of water treated by the separation apparatus
25 could be removed by any convenient means.
As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, the separation apparatus may
also include means for assisting the settlement of solids into the
sump 4. The means shown in FIG. 4 take the form of a downwardly
directed annular flange or baffle 17, which assists in directing
downwardly moving solids into sump 4. The flange or baffle 17 also
substantially prevents the circular motion of the liquid or gas
within the upper regions of the separation chamber from being
transferred into the sump 4.
Referring now to FIG. 2, as illustrated, the cylindrical separation
panel 1 may be fitted with a continuation part 7 of the same
material (or of another, generally impervious material) above the
level of the normal inlet flow. This continuation part 7 ensures
the retention of floating solids if the separation apparatus is
subjected to head pressure (eg during flood conditions), if the
apparatus is being used, for example, for the removal of litter
from urban stormwater runoff.
Where particularly "purified" liquids or gases are required at the
conclusion of the filiation procedure, it is possible for the
outlet from one separation apparatus according to the invention to
feed into the inlet for a second such separator, and therefore, for
the liquid or gas to be filtered sequentially by two or more such
separators, arranged in series. In such an arrangement, the size of
the openings in the separation panels for the second and subsequent
separators could be sequentially (and increasingly) smaller, so
that each subsequent separator removes increasingly finer
particles. Hence, by this arrangement, very high, or indeed, any
desired level of filtration or purification could be achieved.
While much of the aforegoing description of the preferred
embodiments has been concerned with apparatus for separating solids
entrained in liquids, it is to be understood that the invention is
equally applicable to the separation of solids entrained in gases.
Generally, for more efficient operation of gas/solid separators
constructed in accordance with the invention, it would be necessary
for the separator to be constructed as a sealed unit, so as to
prevent the undesired escape of gases undergoing filtration. (This
is a feature which could also be utilised in some liquid/solid
separators constructed in accordance with the present invention).
In this way, solid matter entrained in exhaust gases and gaseous
emissions from various manufacturing plants, could be filtered in
much the same way as solid-bearing liquids are treated, using the
apparatus and methods of the present invention.
Those skilled in the art will therefore readily appreciate that the
apparatus and methods of the present invention are capable of being
put to many different uses, and that they embrace many
modifications and variations. It is therefore also to be understood
that the spirit and scope of the present invention is in no way
limited to the particular details of the preferred embodiments
described herein, but extends to, and is to be determined by
reference to each novel feature and combination of features defined
by the appended claims.
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